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USF News

USF Announces Spring 2022 Dean’s List

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) congratulates the following students who have been named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2022 semester. Students who have attained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher at the end of a semester in which they have taken at least twelve credit hours are named to the Dean’s List. Students residing in USF’s home state of Illinois are listed first below, followed by students from other U.S. states, followed by international students. Illinois
  • Ashkum: Breanna Heimberger
  • Aurora: Saba Aamir and Ashley Sinio
  • Bartlett: Diane Gumble
  • Beecher: Hannah Blankenberger and Kaylie Sippel
  • Berwyn: David Montalvo, Veronica Navarrete and Pedro Ocampo
  • Bolingbrook: Adwoa Asante-Donkor, Aureyel Davis, Jaime Delgado, Isabel Jaquez, Allison Neverouski, Jade Parrish, Lissette Puente, Ruben Reyes, Michelle Robert, Karina Serna De Lara, Josue Tinoco and Katarina Welsh
  • Bourbonnais: Jason Hartsfield, Peyton Garrelts, Marissa Kavanaugh and Thomas Sforza
  • Burbank: Nallely Preciado
  • Channahon: Aryka Adelmann, Lillian Battaglia, Max Briscoe, Trent Hudak, Jarred Jeske, Joseph Kauffman, Hannah Knight, Seth Lehr, MaKenzie Munson and Makayla Sundine
  • Chatham: Carter St. Clair
  • Chicago: Brittany Adams, Cyril Aninyei, Ruth Cruz, Aileen Duran, Shayna Griffith, Fayez Ihmud, Dana Jennings, Carleen Jones, Jose Munoz, Jessica Ortega and Wendy Perez
  • Chicago Heights: Emily Eagan
  • Chicago Ridge: Jennifer Balsan
  • Coal City: Rylee Glagola and Avery Hannig
  • Crest Hill: Arely Gonzalez-Solsona, Brooke Green, Theresa Kobart, Kateryna Mezhevikina, Jane Pochervina and Christopher Schager
  • Crestwood: Skyler Safi
  • Crystal Lake: Matthew Becker
  • Decatur: Erma Porter
  • Diamond: Savannah Jacobs
  • Downers Grove: Salvatore Campagna and Mouriel Romero
  • Dunlap: Carlie Stodgel
  • Dwight: Daly Galloway
  • Elgin: Jacquelyn Boydston and Holly Helsper
  • Elwood: Abigail Lab
  • Frankfort: Kevin Block, Joseph Buggemi, Graham Garrett, Marwa Ghaddar, Lauren Hassen and Kelli Jordan
  • Gardner: Julia Santiago
  • Gillespie: Ally Clay
  • Hampshire: Kevin Kardas
  • Hanover Park: Michael Dan and Jennifer Vazquez Saraul
  • Harvey: Carolina Montoya
  • Hickory Hills: Maha Mohamed
  • Hillside: Michael Johnson
  • Homer Glen: Stephanie Behland, James Grill, Abigail Janeczek, Amanda Kouba, Alex Martinez, Lauren Pikulski and Madeleine Smietanski
  • Homewood: Stacy Norris
  • Joliet: Yoselin Aguilera, Judith Alcantar, Rula Alshamrani, Debbie Alvarado, Monica Alvarado, Abdullah Alwohaibi, Mohammad Alwohaibi, Aitor Anabitarte Soroa, Desiree Anderson, Adriana Arias, Sebastian Bahamondes, Martine Boetto, Paloma Cabrera, Kassandra Cazares, Erin Chapman, Esmeralda Chavez, Brandyn Collins, Emma Coop, Madison Eckberg, Alejandra Elizondo, Robert Elkins, Stephanie Espinosa, Alondra Flores, Jasmine Flores, Katherine Flores, Suzanne Fonck, Hunter Fuss, Yailyn Garcia, Melvin Gathright, De’Whon Gavin, Ayla Gilmer, Aileen Gonzalez, Keenan Hailey, Josel Hernandez, Nicholas Hjerpe, Ashley Huerta, Benjamin Hughes, Jeanette Ibarra, Ryan Jones, Annet Juarez, Ryan King, Samantha Kohrt, Emily Koscielski, Mark Kuzmicki, Andrew Lewis, Zongjie Liu, Denisse Lizano, Carlos Lopez, Karol Lozano, Deyanira Magana, Stefani Magana-Guzman, Shalanda Mallard, William Mastin, Mary Mathieu, Mary Grace Mcgrath, Crystal Mendoza, Amanda Mettus, Julie Mireles, Hannah Mitchell, Adam Montenegro, Laura Murguia-Iniguez, Nayely Ortiz, Brittany Osborne, Jordan Pyle, Allison Ramsey, Frank Rappaport, Jessica Reyes, Angelina Rodriguez, Carina Saucedo, Raquel Sernas, Aron Servin, Daniel Shemaitis, Anne Starasinich, Erik Tejeda, Erick Tenorio, Tyler Theobald, Nayeli Torres, Abigael Turija, Fabian Ulloa, Ruben Ulloa, Alyssa Ulreich, Reanna VanderVelde, Haley Willner, Amanda Wisslead and James Zilinger
  • Justice: Kayla Sistos
  • Kankakee: Logan Johnson and Michelle Toler
  • Lemont: Bridget Hodurek
  • Lockport: Sufia Atiq, Rylee Carpenter, Kaeli Ford, Eric Gasienica, William Gorski, Carson Heglund, John Hejl, Jacob Karli, Alexis Marroquin, Sarah Pawlik, Michael Pellicane, Elizabeth Ponce, Cari Potter, Jacob Tesch, Jenna Tesch, Stanislaw Walus, Rachel Webber, John Weis and Nolan Weis
  • Lombard: Erika Rich
  • Machesney Park: Nicholas Howard
  • Macomb: Carter Fayhee
  • Manhattan: Gabriella Briseno, Gregory Briseno, Codi Cabay, Emma Geatches, Cameron Geigner, Skyler Marotta, Brad Murdock, Miranda Roth, Hannah Schroeder and Adriana Zuniga
  • Manteno: Josie Graffeo
  • Marengo: Jake LaSota
  • Mendota: Peyton Baird, Bianca Espinoza and Teghan Tillman
  • Midlothian: Canyon Novick and Megan Ramsey
  • Minooka: Sabija Bobeski, Alexis Bucciarelli, Brandon Cooling, Jason Countryman, Jack Guldenbecker, Kenneth Guldenbecker, Seth Joder, Mariano Kotrba, Alison Manzello, Mackenzie McGuire, Hayden Minor, Maggie O’Brien and Jacqueline VanDolson
  • Mokena: Katie Blogg, Emma DiFiore, Elizabeth Donovan, Bridget Jeffries, Christopher Kelley, John Raspante, Kiana Sikich and Mathias Woerner
  • Monee: Querida De Frias, Philomera De Guzman and Jessica Scroppo
  • Monroe Center: Yadira Estrada
  • Morris: Darcy Ancel, Vincent Bazzarone, Patricia Cumba, Starla Farmer, Alexis Fatlan, Delaney Jones, Matthew Lopez, Sarah Romy and Meagan Warzynski
  • Morton: Alexis Engst
  • Naperville: Cosme Lozano and Dyanna Medina
  • New Lenox: Raul Alvarez, Danielle Callahan, Joshua Cosgrove, Ryan Cosgrove, Lindsay Czarnowski, Jaclyn Duske, Andrew Hancock, Lucas Hancock, William Higgins, Jacob Kubik, John McGuire, Quinn McGuire, Sean Michalak, Sarah Piane, Isabella Roesing, Aidan Sullivan and Hunter Walker
  • Normal: Mikayla Bean and Laura Walker
  • Oak Forest: Mwape Chibwe, Rhyan Ivancicts, Shannon O’Brien and Carly Vidovic
  • Oak Lawn: Hiba Ali, Michelle Condon, Jasmin Parel and Lucas Wessel
  • Orland Hills: Randa Jaber
  • Orland Park: Melissa McCarthy and Douglas Stoodley
  • Oswego: Haley Bakes, Gabriela Garcia, Megan Krisch, Alexander Mielcarz, Afreen Mushtaheed, Christian Owens and Lauren Tims
  • Ottawa: Teresa Serna and Shelbi Walsh
  • Palos Heights: John Peterson
  • Palos Hills: Tasneem Almadi, Lina Nabile and Trevon Velasco
  • Palos Park: Sarah Hutchinson-Longval
  • Park Forest: Brianna Brown
  • Peoria: Vada Arndt and Paige Smith
  • Pingree Grove: Bailey Wilk
  • Plainfield: Megan Allensworth, Trisha Andal, Ayoko Atayi, Chelsea Bolanos, Joseph Costa, Jessica Courchene, Ryan Daly, Liliana Diaz, Madelyn Dryier, Catherine Dudash, Graziella Gialo, Emily Hans, Syeda Juwariya Hashmi, Chelsea Joy Hizon, Shireen Hussain, Mary Kate Hynek, Justin Jasper, Dana Labiak, Matthew Lauterbach, Joseph Lizzio, Alyssa Meek, Ana Mendoza Pineda, Ashley Nenoff, Lydia Noble, Erica Passo, Brianna Quintero, Arely Sanchez, Shannon Smith, Hailey Thomas, Sarah Torello, Gianna Trenter, Oscar Venegas and Andrea Vollmer
  • Plano: Alyssa Dolan
  • Posen: Aglaen Alvarado and Star Ortega
  • Rochelle: Katherine Bakken
  • Rock Falls: Rebecca Kinney
  • Rockdale: Jaycee Jarosz, Valerie Reyes and Nicole Stadler
  • Romeoville: Alissa Victoria Araneta, Adamari Carrera, Ameri Clark-Reese, Damian Contreras, Nancy Herrera, Jacob Hubbs, Gianna Journigan, Joseph Madeja, William Martinez, Madison Massaro, Logan Miller, Magdalena Munoz, Eric Nelson, Nhu Nguyen, Vetona Sarpong and Oscar Yepez
  • Round Lake: Dariana Ortiz
  • Sandwich: Claire Roberts
  • Schaumburg: Gabrielle Paelmo and Allison Schaar
  • Schiller Park: Jessica Gutierrez
  • Seneca: Alexis Murphy, Evelyn Odum and Silas Odum
  • Shorewood: Alexis Ceballos, Kathryn Drey, Ashley Keene, Carleen Krier, Nicole Kulon, Dylan Nielsen, Liliana Ordonez, Marissa Perez, Kaitlyn Schwarz and Taylor Zarzecki
  • Skokie: Shelly Sabaricos
  • Streamwood: Taylor Connolly
  • Swansea: William Ache
  • Tinley Park: Hannah Bolden, Joshua Kirnbauer, Tyler Knickmeyer, Mahmoud Mahmoud, Elyse Panzella, Leen Rashid, Molli Sarpong, Nicholas Schroeder, Amari Sims and Danielle Stefanski
  • Villa Park: Matthew Knudtson and Samuel Tumilty
  • Wedron: Peyton Dummitt
  • West Chicago: Maryam Al Kubaisi, Diego Cortes and Daniel Goetsch
  • Westchester: John Stevens
  • Westmont: Marissa Deering
  • Wilmington: Madison Gorges, Cameron Holman, Benjamin Kreitz and Dylan Spangler
  • Woodridge: Emilia Torres
  • Yorkville: Gianna Arielle Dalangin and Asia Owens
Colorado
  • Aurora: Tyler Hinthorn
  • Denver: Ola Alshamrani
Florida
  • Bradenton: Taylor Petz
  • Clermont: Joshua Golden
  • Fernandina Beach: Jordan Freese
  • North Miami Beach: Darius Wright
Iowa
  • Cedar Rapids: Bryan Ennis
Indiana
  • Crown Point: Samantha Raspopovich
  • Lowell: Alexia Bibakis and Samantha Hatagan
  • Plymouth: Harlie Mast
  • Saint John: Madisen Tucker
  • Schererville: Kelly Olha
  • Shipshewana: Deann Fry
  • Valparaiso: Carlos Martinez and Alyssa Moreno
Kentucky
  • Louisville: Caleb Bolus
Michigan
  • Charlotte: Michael Whitney
  • Kalamazoo: Jonathan Wolf
Minnesota
  • Saint Paul: Darius Brown
Missouri
  • Saint Louis: Benjamin Phelps
North Carolina
  • Wilmington: Adam Yuhas
New Jersey
  • Colts Neck: Robert Romanik
Nevada
  • Las Vegas: Brandon Gibbs
  • Sparks: Scott Walsh
New York
  • Roosevelt: Chante Kelly
Ohio
  • Brookville: Tonya McKown
  • Seven Hills: Slobodanka Key
Oklahoma
  • Lawton: Matthew Whipp
Oregon
  • Portland: Zhouyang Yu
  • Warrenton: Hannah Berdahl
Pennsylvania
  • Chalfont: Dana McDonald
Texas
  • Sachse: Thu Bui
Wisconsin
  • Antigo: Justin Prelewicz
  • Brookfield: Benjamin Marek
  • Loganville: Sarah Vandermolen
  • Madison: Kya Kafar
  • Milwaukee: Jaime Sepulveda
  • Random Lake: Kendra Bullard
International
  • Alcobendas, Spain: Maria Cruz
  • Bangalore, India: Jerryl Varughese
  • Devon, England: Maria Kuzminskaya
  • Ganei Tiqwa, Israel: Nadav Gerner Aharon
  • Gijon, Spain: Ander Santamarta Menendez
  • Leinburg, Germany: Paul Wottgen
  • Saint-Verand, France: Noellie Danielle Renee Inard
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico: Estrella De la Rosa
  • Trenton, Ontario, Canada: Karley Mason
  • Valladolid, Spain: Daniel Simon
: : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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American Red Cross Blood Drive at USF on Wednesday, February 15

American Red Cross blood drive - February 15, 2023
Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, February 15, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Assembly Hall Gymnasium at USF’s St. Clare Campus, which is located at 1550 Plainfield Road in Joliet. For an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and enter “60435” in the red “Find a Blood Drive” box on the home page. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass. Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information. If you are an eligible type O, B – or A – donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component. For more information, please visit redcrossblood.org. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Sister Clare Award at USF

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF), under the patronage of Saint Francis and Sister Clare of Assisi, invites community members to submit nominations for the 2023 Sister Clare Award, which recognizes women of vision who have transformed the world of their time. The award is presented each year to a deserving recipient USF in the spirit of its sister, Clare. Who comes to mind when you think about a woman who has made a difference in the lives of others through service? Nominate her today through the following link: https://forms.gle/7cTLzmn9R2CynHxy5. Nominations should be received by February 14, 2023. The award recipient will be notified by March 1st, and a reception will be held to celebrate the recognition. Decisions for the award will be made by members of the USF Women’s History Month committee. The first award was presented in 2013 during Women’s History Month to the university’s founding congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.  Other honorees have included Diane Nilan (2014), Cleopatra Pendelton (2015), Bernice Sandler (2016), Mona Purdy (2017), Petra Jamie (2018), Nancy Economu (2019), Roxiana Fuqua (2020), Dr. Ngozi Ezike (2021), and Patricia Alvarez (2022). Please contact Dr. Maribeth Hearn by phone at 815-740-3384 or by email at mhearn@stfrancis.edu with any questions. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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USF Programs Shine in Online Program Rankings by U.S. News

Joliet, Ill. – U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2023 Best Online Programs rankings, and the University of St. Francis (USF) is proud to announce that its online graduate business programs (excluding MBA) were ranked the best in Illinois. The publication also recognized four other online programs offered by USF, including two named as the best private programs in Illinois (online graduate education programs and online MBA programs). Recognized USF programs included:
  • Online Graduate Business Programs (excluding MBA) – #1 ranked program overall in Illinois (36th percentile nationally);
  • Online Graduate Education Programs – #1 ranked private program in Illinois (18th percentile nationally);
  • Online MBA Programs – #1 ranked private program in Illinois (36th percentile nationally);
  • Online Nursing Programs – #3 ranked private program in Illinois (35th percentile nationally), and;
  • Online Bachelor’s Programs – #4 ranked private program in Illinois (24th percentile nationally).
As online education programs gain in popularity and demand, USF continues to leverage its comprehensive history of offering quality options that meet the changing needs of students interested in earning undergraduate and graduate degrees. Visit stfrancis.edu/admissions-aid/online for more information on USF’s online programs. Visit usnews.com/education/online-education for more information on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs rankings. About U.S News & World Report’s Ranking Methodology U.S. News & World Report (U.S. News) has been publishing school rankings in the education sector since 1983 and has done so specifically for online degree programs since 2013. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, U.S. News calculates rankings based on a variety of factors, which hold different weights depending on the ranking category. A program’s score for each factor, or ranking indicator, is calculated using data that online programs report to U.S. News in an annual survey. The rankings methodologies for online programs are separate from those for U.S. News’ Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools rankings. Ranking methodologies are typically updated on an annual basis. Additional details are available at usnews.com/education/online-education. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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USF Faculty Members Present at National Teaching and Learning Conference

Joliet, Ill. –University of St. Francis (USF) educators Joyce Kraus, DSW, and Karen Blaha, Ed.D., served as presenters at the annual Lilly Conference in San Diego, Cal., in early January. Kraus and Blaha’s presentation, “Creating a Classroom Culture: Engaging with the Diverse Learning Environment,” offered their perspectives on practices that support a diverse, engaging, and equitable environment that, in turn, supports the learning and social needs of higher education students. Kraus and Blaha’s intended participant outcomes for their presentation included reflecting on how a cultural frame of reference might impact communication and interaction with students, identifying cultural and familial factors that contribute to one’s own intersectionality to enhance one’s understanding of students’ intersectionality, and exploring instructional practices that engage multiple perspectives and intersectionalities and support an equitable learning environment. For Kraus, the director of field education and assistant professor for USF’s social work department, the opportunity to present with Blaha offered an opportunity to incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to higher education. “Working with Karen using an interdisciplinary approach toward the common goal of introducing diversity and equity in the classroom has been very enriching. The opportunity to present to a multi-disciplinary audience at the Lilly Conference, San Diego left me believing our frameworks and approaches are indeed universally applicable to any classroom when faculty are supported and given effective tools to facilitate brave spaces in their classrooms,” Kraus said. Blaha, a program coordinator and assistant professor in the USF College of Education, echoed her co-presenter’s remarks and added that opportunities such as the Lilly Conference offer important learning opportunities for higher education instructors. “The opportunity to present with Joyce at the Lilly Conference to an audience of higher education instructors, of various contents, showed me that educators are interested in learning how to create an inclusive environment for their classrooms. The conference showed me that our frameworks can be applied to any classroom to create an optimal learning environment,” Blaha said. Kraus and Blaha’s were also invited to write up their presentation into a manuscript format for publication consideration in The Scholarly Teacher. About the Lilly Conference For 40 years, Lilly Conferences have provided opportunities for the presentation of the scholarship of teaching and learning. Conference participants are made up of faculty and administrators at various stages in their academic careers that come from across the world representing nearly every discipline found in higher education. For more information, visit lillyconferences.com. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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World Series Champion Manager Joe Maddon to Speak at USF Brown and Gold Night

Joliet, Ill. – Joe Maddon, the Major League Baseball manager that helped the Chicago Cubs organization break its 108-year World Series drought in 2016, will be the guest speaker at University of St. Francis’ 44th annual Brown & Gold Night.  The event will take place at the Pat Sullivan Center on the campus of USF on Monday, February 13.

A three-time Manager of the Year, Maddon has worked with two other organizations besides the Cubs.  Most recently, he was with the Los Angeles Angels, where he has had two tours of duty, while getting his first full-time managerial opportunity with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In all, Maddon has managed at the major-league level in 19 of his 45-plus years involved in professional baseball.  During that time, he has amassed 1,382 victories, including 32 career postseason wins, which ranks ninth all-time.  Among all victories, he sits in the No. 32 spot all-time.

Maddon has also been responsible for two of the best turnarounds in MLB history with the 2008 Rays and 2015 Cubs.  The Rays went from being the worst team in baseball – a 66-96 record – in 2007 to going 97-65 and winning the 2008 American League pennant.  The Cubs also went 97-65 in Maddon’s first year at the helm after the team went 73-89 in 2014.  One year later, Chicago captured its first World Series title since 1908 by going 103-58-1.  It marked the most wins in a season for the organization since 1910 when that team posted 104 victories.

Maddon becomes the second member of the Chicago Cubs World Series championship team to speak at USF’s Brown & Gold Night.  Former catcher David Ross spoke in January, 2017, right after the title.

Maddon also joins Ross in having written a book, which just came out this fall.  Co-authored with award-winning sportswriter Tom Verducci, “The Book of Joe” is a memoir of Maddon’s journey in life and baseball.

Maddon is yet another in the long list of sports celebrities to speak at USF’s Brown & Gold Night, one that has featured 17 Hall of Fame inductees.  Among the list have been John Wooden, AL McGuire and Ray Meyer in basketball, Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Dan Hampton, Brian Urlacher, Paul Hornung and Bart Starr from football and Fergie Jenkins and Frank Thomas on the diamond.  Others have included Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable and Blackhawks forward Denis Savard as well as USF’s own Gordie Gillespie, one of college baseball’s all-time winningest coaches.

The annual fundraiser begins with a cash bar at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the program at 8 p.m. The event will also include both a silent and live auction.  No autograph requests will be granted the night of the event.

Tickets are available for $65 each or a table of 10 for $650.  Corporate sponsorships are also available.  For more information, contact the USF Athletic Department at 815-740-3842 or www.gofightingsaints.com.

: :

The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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